ESET botnet protection

Keep your computer from being used as part of a botnet

What is a botnet?

A botnet is a network of computers that have been infected with malware. Criminals use botnets, which can consist of thousands or even millions of computers, to perform various tasks without the users’ knowledge.

Botnets can be used to send spam, install spyware or steal account information. A large botnet can also be used for Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, bombarding a website with so much traffic that it either slows down or crashes completely.

Botnet malware can be spread via malicious email attachments, file downloads and fake apps. Criminals also target vulnerabilities such as outdated software or lack of internet security to gain access. Increasingly, wired devices such as security cameras, closed circuit TVs and even automobiles have also been targeted.

Why you need botnet protection

While being part of a botnet can interfere with your computer performance, the bigger issue is being part of the botnet itself.

The computing power provided in a single botnet enables criminals to commit multiple crimes quickly and often without detection. For example, in 2016 a botnet was used to create the largest DDoS attack in history, affecting websites like Twitter, Amazon and Netflix.

For this reason, it’s vital to keep your computer from becoming infected in the first place.

Keep your software updated and install patches as they are released to prevent vulnerabilities.

Use an internet security solution that includes botnet protection to detect and block malware and firewall protection to filter communications between your computer and the internet.

Use caution when downloading files or apps or clicking on attachments to make sure they're legitimate.

What is botnet and how does it spread?

How ESET botnet protection works

Detecting botnet malware

ESET botnet protection is part of ESET’s core technology. It detects malicious communication used by botnets and identifies the offending processes. Any detected malicious communication is blocked and reported to the user.

Firewall

ESET firewall protection keeps hackers from accessing your computer and keeps you invisible while using public Wi-Fi, both of which help block the transmission of malware.

ESET products that include botnet protection and firewall:

In October 2016, the Mirai botnet used approximately 100,000 IoT devices in a DDoS attack on Dyn, an internet infrastructure company in the U.S., that kept millions of users from accessing Amazon, eBay, Netflix and Twitter, among others.